All of us who joined Citizen Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) for the West Bend School District have taken a lot of personal time to be a part of the committee. When I joined the committee I did so with an open mind. I wanted to hear about the facility needs at Jackson Elementary School and the West Bend East and West High Schools. I toured both facilities with the group and came away not at all alarmed at the condition of either site.
I wish to be clear in this write-up so I will focus on only one site - Jackson.
I found the school to be solid, yet a bit neglected. For example, I felt the bathrooms needed updating and new fixtures. I found the classrooms to be neat, well-lit and great learning spaces.
Contrary to comments I've heard, Jackson is not sinking, no sewers are backing up and the water issue has been addressed by closer scrutiny to maintenance. Dave Ross, facilities manager for the district, confirmed this and told me that if he found any real safety issues at Jackson he would be the first to raise the alarm if there were safety concerns. Per Mr. Ross, “It's not falling down.”
The CFAC committee was not unanimous in its recommendation to build a new two-story Jackson school. The Committee was divided, though the majority (which includes staff from the district office) would like a new two-story Jackson Elementary School.
Several of us wanted a Jackson remodel proposal. I hope a proposal is in the works because I believe the community needs an honest look at this option, especially within a budget of money already saved - almost $5 million in Fund 46 and Fund 10 thanks to previous board direction and thinking outside the box.
In light of declining enrollment which is evidenced with Jackson school going from over 500 to currently 370 students after the move of 5th graders to Silverbrook, and projected enrollment decline district wide, the data does not indicate there is a need for a larger facility. In fact, statewide projections indicate a trend of lower enrollment in schools for various reasons.
My concern also includes stretching our debt out for several more decades for a new building, burdening our local residents with more debt (both principle and interest), and the need to begin routine maintenance on buildings that are not yet paid for.
Other concerns about building a new facility in Jackson are as follows:
1. COST: Currently, (according to information given to CFAC members) we have referendum debt of almost $39 million with an average interest rate of 2%. This debt is scheduled to be paid in full in 10 years.
Per an email from Mr. Ross, ”The long and short of things is that the district could do as much as an approximately $40 million referendum and not raise property taxes because of the structure of the existing debt and the Jackson Trust. “
This is a incredible amount of money to add to our current debt, and the idea that it will “not raise property taxes” is very, very misleading. This debt will carry on for decades instead of only one decade. The longer a debt is extended, the more it costs. We are giving debt to our children. I cannot go along with that.
2. SITE LOCATION: The new site is 6.4.acres vs 5.7 acres at the current site. The conceptual drawing done by Bray Architects for Jackson includes a large water retention pond, and there is a gas line running under the property with a gas utility station adjacent to the property: both are safety concerns for me
3. TRAFFIC: Traffic flow will be more congested south of Hwy 60 because there will be only one way to go north back to Hwy 60.
4. SIZE: The current Jackson school is 58,922 sq ft. The first size proposed to CFAC was 85,000 sq ft. which was reduced to 75,000 sq ft. With declining enrollment we do not need a larger building. It makes me wonder if this is about wants vs needs.
5. ENROLLMENT: The student population at Jackson has decreased by almost 150 students in recent years. We do not need a larger building for fewer students. At present, Jackson has a higher square foot area per student than the other elementary schools in the district, and with a proposed 75,000 sq ft for a new Jackson school, it will have much more square footage per student than any other elementary school in the district and much higher than the “industry standards” presented to CFAC.
1. COST: Currently, (according to information given to CFAC members) we have referendum debt of almost $39 million with an average interest rate of 2%. This debt is scheduled to be paid in full in 10 years.
Per an email from Mr. Ross, ”The long and short of things is that the district could do as much as an approximately $40 million referendum and not raise property taxes because of the structure of the existing debt and the Jackson Trust. “
This is a incredible amount of money to add to our current debt, and the idea that it will “not raise property taxes” is very, very misleading. This debt will carry on for decades instead of only one decade. The longer a debt is extended, the more it costs. We are giving debt to our children. I cannot go along with that.
2. SITE LOCATION: The new site is 6.4.acres vs 5.7 acres at the current site. The conceptual drawing done by Bray Architects for Jackson includes a large water retention pond, and there is a gas line running under the property with a gas utility station adjacent to the property: both are safety concerns for me
3. TRAFFIC: Traffic flow will be more congested south of Hwy 60 because there will be only one way to go north back to Hwy 60.
4. SIZE: The current Jackson school is 58,922 sq ft. The first size proposed to CFAC was 85,000 sq ft. which was reduced to 75,000 sq ft. With declining enrollment we do not need a larger building. It makes me wonder if this is about wants vs needs.
5. ENROLLMENT: The student population at Jackson has decreased by almost 150 students in recent years. We do not need a larger building for fewer students. At present, Jackson has a higher square foot area per student than the other elementary schools in the district, and with a proposed 75,000 sq ft for a new Jackson school, it will have much more square footage per student than any other elementary school in the district and much higher than the “industry standards” presented to CFAC.
We currently have several million dollars saved for Jackson. I would like to see a proposal to remodel Jackson that includes a new gymnasium so the lunch room can be separated from the gym, addresses outside play areas as well as safety and security, updates working parts and parking.
We can look into tearing down the 100-year-old portion so we can forever rest the idea that “Jackson is the oldest school in the district”. One Jackson resident suggested using it as a historical building/site; this could be vetted further. We need functional, not fancy.
The community should not be misled by statements that lead them to believe our property taxes won't go up if we pass a referendum. When money is borrowed it always must be repaid, and with interest.
I would like to work within our budget. We can do this!!
And, we can continue to save for future building and maintenance needs as we are currently doing. This is the fiscally responsible way to govern.
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